She watches from the metaphorical side as her classmate Jessie (played by Alex Wolff) rises to social media stardom with her self-help meditation videos. Susie yearns for the same recognition, hoping that her own talents will be recognized by the masses. An opportunity to show off her investigative skills arises when Jessie is suddenly kidnapped. During her amateur investigation, Susie experiences moments of admiration and numerous bouts of anxiety.
While "Susie Searches" is inspired by the series Nancy Drew, this suburban adventure also resembles the surreal comedy "Greener Grass" by Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe. Similar to that dark satire, Kargman deliberately sets an uncomfortable and comically crude tone against the backdrop of an eccentric suburban setting filled with quirky characters. Known for her charming performance in the musical "Hearts Beat Loud," Clemons taps into a similar effervescent spirit. She exudes inherent sweetness and unassuming charm, infusing every action with authenticity, bringing comfort to even the most enigmatic misfits. Her remarkable resilience carries through the early stages of the film, but unfortunately, she can't quite save the lackluster material penned by screenwriter William Day Frank.
Director: Sophie Kargman
Writers: William Day Frank, Sophie Kargman
Stars: Kiersey Clemons, Alex Wolff, Jim Gaffigan
As Susie discovers Jessie's whereabouts, thus becoming the town's hero, the entire mood of the film undergoes a drastic transformation from a gritty adventure to a sinister awakening that betrays the endearing, if absurd, cast of characters established in the first act.
Is Susie really as virtuous as she seems, or is something unrecognizable lurking below the surface? The rest of "Susie Searches" feels like a desperate attempt to transform the answers to these questions into a teen horror movie. As Jessie's friend goes missing, whispers spread throughout the city, questioning if a serial criminal is on the loose. Initially, suspicion falls on Jessie's estranged uncle, until he gradually moves closer to Susie's own home. Consequently, the vibrant color palette gives way to a somber haze of melancholic undertones. As Susie delves into the investigation to track down her friend, the bond between her and the admired Jessie grows stronger.
Wolff gives a sensational performance as the seemingly superficial darling of social media, cautiously revealing the depths of his dreams and empathy for him, ultimately becoming a true friend to Susie. The effortless chemistry between Wolff and Clemons keeps viewers engaged, even as the narrative takes bewildering tonal detours. Wolff's performance in this role is a testament to his growth as an actor, honed through notable films like "Hereditary," "Pig" and "Old," where he consistently makes the most of limited screen time.
Unfortunately, the other actors don't fare as well on "Susie Searches," though through no fault of their own. He takes over the fast food restaurant where Susie works, where her coworker has a sharp tongue and a propensity for casual cruelty. The more you look at her, the more you think, "Rachel Sennott would excel in this role." And then you realize: the actress is, in fact, Sennott. It feels peculiar to witness an actress brimming with irrepressible energy, as seen in "Shiva Baby" and "Bodies Bodies Bodies", restrained within the confines of an underdeveloped character. With her hair up and her face almost hidden by an oversized cap, she hardly recognizes herself. Similarly, Ken Marino, who plays the restaurant's deranged manager, strives to make a lasting impression. He eventually hits a moment of intensity, but finds himself in the most incongruous scene in the entire movie.
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